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Central Courtyard With Brick Façade and Green Wall Systems in a Contemporary Home Design

Authors:
Carlos Luis Aguas Castelo, Andrea Giovanna Urgiles NuÑez
Central Courtyard With Brick Façade and Green Wall Systems in a Contemporary Home Design

Project in-detail

A central courtyard integrated with a green wall system and a traditional brick façade enhances natural cooling and community interaction in a contemporary residential design.
5 key facts about this project
01
Central courtyard enhances airflow, promoting passive cooling throughout the residence.
02
Traditional brick façade integrates local architectural heritage with contemporary design.
03
Green wall systems utilize local biodiversity for effective water management.
04
Prefabricated concrete elements streamline construction while ensuring structural durability.
05
Majlis serves as a gathering space, fostering community interaction within the home.

### Project Overview

The House of the Future in Dubai is designed as a contemporary response to the traditional residential spaces of the region. It merges modern design elements with local cultural heritage, prioritizing sustainability and community engagement. The integration of advanced materials and technologies serves to enhance both the functionality and aesthetic coherence of the structure.

### Spatial Organization and Connectivity

The design emphasizes the concept of the Majlis, a traditional gathering area central to social interaction in Middle Eastern culture. The layout features two distinct wings connected by a central courtyard, which facilitates natural ventilation and light while promoting communal and private interactions. Key areas, including the Majlis positioned at the entrance and designated family spaces organized around the courtyard, are purposefully arranged to create a harmonious balance between public and private realms.

### Material Selection and Environmental Focus

A deliberate choice of materials underpins the project’s sustainability goals. The use of locally sourced brick contributes to structural integrity and aesthetic resonance with traditional architecture. Prefabricated concrete provides durability and accommodates modern finishes, while extensive glazing enhances transparency, allowing for abundant natural light. Green wall systems and bio-digesters are incorporated to effectively manage temperature and humidity, aligning with sensitive ecological practices relevant to Dubai's urban context.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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